Windows XP won't start / function. Need some MAJOR help.

[Inferno.]

SXS.DLL: Syntax error in manifest or policy file \I386\asms\1000\MSFT\WINDOWS\GDIPLUS\GDIPLUS.MAN on line 4.


That's the error. It seems to be a somewhat common problem. I'm trying to find the solution myself but I figure you guys could help me while I do that as well.

Some things I've read say it's maybe a CD scratch-like error. Another one said it's something already on the HDD itself causing the error, which sounds likely for me as I think the CD is perfectly fine.

However, I found that Dell CD. It is a reinstallation CD for XP home edition service pack 2. My computer is not a Dell, it is XP Pro, and Service Pack 1. So we'll see how this goes.

But, yes, I'm still trying to salvage my computer's files and would greatly appreciate your guys help.

Also, another reason why I don't think it is a CD scratch error or anything of the like is I didn't get the "I/O" error on my error message.

Update: - I've tried the Dell CD and I get the same error. However, perhaps If I try the reinstall operation fresh it will work, I simply put it in and restarted from when I get the error message. Also, maybe it's because it is a different XP version and Service Pack. What do you guys suggest? And upon further research it looks like my Liteon DVDRW drive may be the problem. I don't know much about replacing or anything so that would be an issue.

Take it out of the computer, check the jumper setting. It would probably be master. Take your new one, set it to master. Place it in where the other was and connect both the Power + IDE cable to the back.

[quaycur]

Just read another thing, sometimes a new download CD works, sometimes removing a stick of ram works (apparently bad ram)

So... there are several things I'm going to have to try and apart from the Ram I have no idea... I won't have time to do it today either.

I would like to try the CD drive thing last as it is the hardest and even though you told me what to do Astaroth, I don't quite get it. Jumper, Master?

However, if somebody wouldn't mind PM'ing me some info regarding XP and CD's... that'd be nice... I do own and have my own Serial key and what not so it isn't warez, but so as to avoid confrontation have it in PM form. I'd like to have an exact match is why I need help meaning a Non-service pack Windows XP Professional CD.

Thanks to everybody so far. Also, after just hard-shutting down the computer I have to say it sounds different then before. Perhaps it's just paranoia but it sounds like the fan is a bit louder or something when shutting down. Who knows.

[Inferno.]

Just read another thing, sometimes a new download CD works, sometimes removing a stick of ram works (apparently bad ram)

So... there are several things I'm going to have to try and apart from the Ram I have no idea... I won't have time to do it today either.

I would like to try the CD drive thing last as it is the hardest and even though you told me what to do Astaroth, I don't quite get it. Jumper, Master?

However, if somebody wouldn't mind PM'ing me some info regarding XP and CD's... that'd be nice... I do own and have my own Serial key and what not so it isn't warez, but so as to avoid confrontation have it in PM form. I'd like to have an exact match is why I need help meaning a Non-service pack Windows XP Professional CD.

Thanks to everybody so far. Also, after just hard-shutting down the computer I have to say it sounds different then before. Perhaps it's just paranoia but it sounds like the fan is a bit louder or something when shutting down. Who knows.

Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet. If the RAM is bad then you should check it with Memtest86: http://www.memtest86.com/

[quaycur]

I'd llike to use a program like that Memtest thing to test my RAM but I'm basically limited to DOS.

The CD-Drive thing and the RAM thing I'm not even sure if I'll do because I'm just getting so upset and with my luck nothing will change.

Tried some new CD's today, same exact thing, so a bad CD or something is definitely not the problem.. Ugh, not sure what to do.

I'd still like a reply though for somebody on what they think I should do, though. Or maybe a new suggestion. I'll not worry about this for the rest or the day so I don't break anything but, hopefully I'll have a reply to read tomorrow. Thanks for all the help so far everybody, but I always seem to get these un-fixable problems.

See y'all.

[Panda Man]

I'd llike to use a program like that Memtest thing to test my RAM but I'm basically limited to DOS.

The CD-Drive thing and the RAM thing I'm not even sure if I'll do because I'm just getting so upset and with my luck nothing will change.

Tried some new CD's today, same exact thing, so a bad CD or something is definitely not the problem.. Ugh, not sure what to do.

I'd still like a reply though for somebody on what they think I should do, though. Or maybe a new suggestion. I'll not worry about this for the rest or the day so I don't break anything but, hopefully I'll have a reply to read tomorrow. Thanks for all the help so far everybody, but I always seem to get these un-fixable problems.

See y'all.

No such thing Best thing you could do right now is grab a copy of ubcd

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com

Download, burn, and boot from it. It has memtest86+ on it as well as hard disk diagnostic tools. Try testing it with seatools, it works on most drives other than seagates and maxtors. You could also try nuking the drive with killdisk and starting over, leftover files may be causing setup to die prematurely. Btw I haven't read this whole thread so yeah Just to make sure, how many drives do you have, and are they partitioned?

[quaycur]

...Try testing it with seatools, it works on most drives other than seagates and maxtors. You could also try nuking the drive with killdisk and starting over, leftover files may be causing setup to die prematurely. Btw I haven't read this whole thread so yeah Just to make sure, how many drives do you have, and are they partitioned?

I have one drive and I think it is NAT32 partitoned, I think that is what you were asking. And for the killdisk thing, I've been trying to avoid that so I don't lose all the files I have on my computer, but as more days go by I'm getting closer to realization that I'll probably just have to do that.

Also, how you "left over files may be causing setup to die prematurely" I really believe that is the problem. Furtuer back in the thread I give the error message, and it says something like GDI plus man or something. When I googled the problem I think some people said they fixed it by putting that file on the disk. The problem is, I'm not quite sure if they even did that or if I read wrong. Where to find the file, and last, even if I have it all, how I would put it in the right spot when I can only access my computer from DOS, and wouldn't have any idea to where to place it.